FINALS experience will count for little tomorrow at Hay when Ultima and Nullawil clash for a spot in the Golden Rivers Football League grand final.
The Mallee rivals will meet in the penultimate match of the 2017 season for the chance to play Wandella in September 9’s grand final on the Bombers’ turf.
The ‘Roos – looking for a fifth consecutive grand final appearance – will aim to put in a four-quarter performance tomorrow after a poor second and third quarters cost the club in its 20-point second semi-final loss to Wandella.
It is a different situation for the Maroons, who dominated from the opening siren in a 94-point win against Murrabit in Sunday’s first semi-final.
Nullawil has become accustomed to playing in preliminary finals since last missing the finals in 2008. The Maroons have played in six of the past eight preliminary finals, producing a 2-4 record, whilst the ‘Roos have only needed to progress to the grand final via the preliminary final once in its four-year run of grand final appearances, defeating Nullawil in 2013.
Little separated both sides during the 2017 season. The ‘Roos – who recorded one more win than the Maroons after 18 rounds – produced a 43-point win when the sides met in round three, with Nullawil prevailing by 71 points back in round 12.
The win on its home turf back in July helped the Maroons build a formidable percentage, thanks to being the only side to record a combined total of more than 2000 points in 16 matches.
The league’s leading goalkicker, Kal Heslop and Andrew Oberdorfer – who kicked six goals in the Maroons’ win on Sunday – have enabled this to occur, and both players will be pivotal to tomorrow’s result.
Jayden Kiel and Brenton Pay will be Ultima coach, Jack O’Rourke’s best options to stop this pair from securing a Nullawil win.
Meanwhile, the ‘Roos rely on multiple goalkicking options – ranging from crumbing forward Ryan Devereux to midfielder, Matthew O’Toole and ruck option, Arnold Kirby.
These options will test the likes of Jarrod Kemp and Brett Barker, who will need to rely on extra support if this trio take control.
The midfield depth of both teams will be just a pivotal, with Ultima to look to O’Rourke O’Toole and Mitchell Seton-Stewart to lead the way.
Scott Mathiske, Matt Harrop and coach, Grant Ford will lead the way for the Maroons in the middle of the ground, but this result will hinge on a battle between two players who often set up attacking forays.
The battle between Luke Kelson – who has gone from a defender to key playmaker this season – and Reece Poyner will be pivotal to the result, with the height of both players to support their respective sides.
PREDICTION: Ultima will progress to a fifth consecutive grand final with a 20-point victory.
